Window glazing construction



Aug. 24, 1965 R. G. cuDlNl WINDOW GLAZING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 13, 1961 /wig /4 a if United States Patent O 3,201,831 WINDW GLAZHNG CONSTRUCTION Roger G. Cardini, Birmingham, Mich., assigner t Moynahan Bronze Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 13, 196i, Ser. No. 95,063 8 Claims. (Cl. Ztl-56.4)

This invention relates to glass holding devices and more particularly to a novel window glazing construction for rmly mounting and resiliently retaining a pane of glass within an opening.

Heretofore, many glass holding devices have been developed to retain panes of glass in window openings and the like. Generally, these devices include a sash or frame portion surrounding a window opening and elaborate locking means for resiliently retaining the pane with respect to the frame.

Recently, curtain-wall type construction has been selected for the exteriors of many large buildings. Such construction consists of non-load bearing, lightweight sheets of decorative material which are supported on a load-carrying framework. It has been found that present day sashes are not readily adapted to such construction in that they are often too costly, too time consuming to install or do not adequately support or seal a window pane with respect to the wall.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide an improved window glazing construction, in which a pane of glass may be easily and readily installed and replaced with great accuracy, and which is especially suited for, but not limited to use in, curtain-wall type construction.

A further object of the present invention is to resiliently retain a pane of glass with respect to a Window opening by applying a distributed pressure across the peripheral portions of the pane of glass Without the aid of screws and other adjusting means.

A further object of the invention is to eiect a considerable saving in the cost of material, time and labor in the installation of an improved weather-tight glazing construction having few parts of simple form.

A further object of the invention is to resiliently support a pane of glass in a frame portion of a window glazing construction suitable for curtain-wall window openings, and to maintain a weather-tight seal around its periphery.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved sturdy, durable window glazing construction which is quickly installed, economical in cost, and consists of a minimum number of lightweight parts.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a portion of a Window glazing construction constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 2 2 of FIGURE, l looking in the direction of the arrows with a side portion of the window frame in elevation.

The novel window glazing construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention is directed toward an arrangement which is quickly installed and adjusted with respect to a window opening by merely sliding a single locking element with respect to a unique frame assembly to be described.

In the drawing the glazing construction includes an outer longitudinally extending frame portion 10 having a downwardly depending arm l2 and an inwardly extend- ICC ing flange 14 which is turned upwardly at its inner end to form a groove 16. The outer frame 10 carries a longitudinally extending weather strip i3 of resilient, yieldable rubber-like material such as sponge neoprene which iits over the outer wall of a sill portion 20. The strip 1S, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, is compressed between the outer longitudinally extending frame portion 10 and the sill 20 filling a rounded, longitudinally extending groove portion 22 in the strip 10 to prevent the entrance of wind, water and dirt.

An inner longitudinally extending frame portion 24 has an outwardly extending ange portion 26 whose outer end is turned upwardly to form a longitudinally extending groove 23 that locks against a tapered edge portion 30 on the bottom of the outer frame portion 19. A tab portion 32 struck out of the tiange 26 adjustably spaces the inner frame portion 24 away from the sill 20 and a longitudinally extending weather strip or gasket 34 extending between the inside oi the sill 2d and a downwardly depending arm 35 on the inner frame portion 24 acts as a secondary seal across the glazing construction.

The interlocking, longitudinally extending inner and outer frame portions 24, i@ constitute a part of the bottorn section of a window frame which necessarily includes a bottom, top or head and side sections which completely frame a preselected window opening.

The upper face of the flange 1d carries a longitudinally extending channel-shaped cushion 36 of a natural or synthetic resilient material such as neoprene which seals the peripheral edge portion of a pane of glass 3% inserted therein. The outer side of the cushion 36 abuts against the inner side of the outside frame portion llt) and the inner side of the cushion 36 is enclosed by a longitudinally extending loading strip iti which has a longitudinally extending groove 42. The downwardly depending arm 35 of the inner frame portion 2d has a similar longitudinally extending groove 443. The grooves 4:2, i4 receive a springbiasing means for compressing the cushion 36 against the outer periphery of the pane 33 in a manner to be described.

The ends of the frame portions it), 24, the strip 13, the cushion 36 and the loading strip liti are mitered to form square corners as is the case in conventional window glazing constructions.

Once the pane 3S has been inserted in the cushion 36 and the longitudinally extending loading strip 40 has been placed along the inner side of the cushion 36, the pane 33 is locked into place by snapping a plurality of spaced lugs generally designated t6 against a plurality of bowed, longitudinally extending springs which are generally designated 48.

Each spring t8 has an outer bowed portion 5i) and a pair of oppositely disposed end portions 52 which lit in the groove 42. Each lug assembly i6 has outwardly projecting upper and lower iianges 54, 56, respectively. Substantially midway between the flanges 54, 56, a leg 58 projects outwardly having a downwardly depending arm 60 which engages the outer frame groove i6. The lower ange 56 of the lug 46 engages the inner frame groove 44 and the upper llange 54 overlies the outer bowed spring portion 50 to hold the spring 48 against the loading strip #iti to compress the cushion 36 tightly against the pane 38 to positively seal against the entrance of water, dirt and the like thereacross. The squeezing action of the cushion 36, furthermore, firmly holds the pane 38 in place.

Each spring 48 has a substantial longitudinal reach which causes the spring force to be evenly distributed over a substantial surface area on the inside of the cushion 36 to prevent stress concentrations in the periphery of the pane 38. This novel construction helps to avoid window breakage due to superimposed strains caused by wind, vi-

bration, temperature expansion and the like. Moreover, the springs will flex when an unusual load is imposed thereon. Such flexibility prevents the relatively brittle window pane from cracking. Y

An outer flashing strip 62 snaps over the top and outer side of the outer frame portion 10. The top and outer face of the outer frame portion 16 has a plurality of spaced grooves 64 which receive a suitable sealing compound for weather-proofing the joints in the flashing 62. An inner flashing strip 66 snaps over the top of the loading strip 4t) and over an inwardly projecting flange 67 oii the inner frame portion 24. Suitable fastening means such as screws 68 retain the flashing 66 in place.

The installation of a window glazing construction in accordance with the principles of this invention requires a preselected window opening in a curtain-wall or the like. The mounting of a window pane is effected by placing the inner frame portion 24 in position with its downwardly depending arm 35 carrying the gasket 34 which engages the inner side of the sill or wall 20. The weather strip 18 is firmly fastened to the inner side of the arm 12 of the outer frame portion by any suitable means such as cementing material. The tapered edge portion of the frame portion 10 then interlocks in the groove 28 of the inner frame portion 24. The downwardly extending arni portions i2, of the frame portions 10, 24, respectively, clamp around the peripheral portion of the window opening to provide a Window frame including bottom, top and side sections which completely surround a preselected window opening. The weather strips 18, 34 compress between the frame portions 10, 24 and the wall 20 to provide a weather-tight seal. It is important to note that the frame is quickly installed by merely pressing the frame portions 10, 24 into place without the use of fastening means such as screws and the like.

The cushion 36 then ts against an inside wall on the outer frame portion 10. The periphery of the pane 38 is pressed into the cushion 36 and a loading strip 40 is mounted on each side and top and bottom section of the window frame. A number of lugs 46 -are then spaced at preselected points around the frame and are snapped into engagement with the frame portions 10, 24 by inserting the springs 48 between the loading strips 40 and lugs 46. The preselected spacing provides a plurality of loadbearing points which are uniformly distributed across a substantial portion of the peripheral surface of the pane to -avoid the possibility of stress concentrations which could crack the relatively brittle pane. The lugs 46 and springs 48 are quickly installed merely by snapping them into place. The flashing 62, 66 then snaps over the exposed portions of the glazing construction. The screws 68 may be used to secure the inner flashing 66 in place to discourage unauthorized tampering with the locking lugs 46.

In order to further simplify the installation of the novel window glazing construction of the present invention the frame portions, loading strips and lug assemblies are preferably of aluminum and the like. Such lightweight material facilitates the handling of the component parts of the construction.

From the aforesaid description, it can be appreciated that my glazing construction may be quickly placed in a window opening and receive .a pane of glass which is resiliently mounted across the window opening and locked into place by evenly distributed pressure surfaces without requiring the adjustment of an excessive plurality of elements such as screws and the like. Moreover, my novel assembly includes a minimum of elements which are of a Simple form and therefore, unusually economical to produce.

It will be understood that the specific construction of the improved window glazing construction which is herein disclosed and described is presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and is not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

Cil

What is claimed is:

1. A window glazing construction comprising an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion adapted to engage said outer frame portion, said inner and outer frame portions including means for engaging a wall section, seal means on said outer frame portion adapted to be compressed between said outer frame portion and lthe wall section for weather-proofing the peripheral portion of a window opening in the wall section, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of Va window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, separate lug means adapted to engage said inner and outer frame portions, and means including spring means adapted to engage said loading strip and said lug means to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween.

2. A window glazing construction comprising lan outer frame portion having an inwardly extending flange portion and a first downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending flange portion and a second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said first downwardly depending arm, means including said first and second arms for clamping said frame portions on opposite sides of the periphery of a win-dow opening formed in a wall section, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window p-ane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, separate lug means adapted to engage said inwardly extending flange portion, and means including spring means adapted to engage said loading strip land said lug means to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween.

3. A window glazing construction comprising an outer frame portion having an inwardly extending flange portion anda first downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending flange portion and second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said first downwardly depending arm, means including said first and second arms for clamping said frame portions on opposite sides of the periphery of a window opening formed in a wall section, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a Window pane, a loading strip cngageable with said inner cushion means, a bracket having upper and lower outwardly projecting flanges and a leg portion between said upper and lower flanges, said leg portion being adapted to engage said inwardly extending flange portion and said lower flange portion being adapted to engage said second downwardly depending arm, and means 1ncluding spring means adapted to engage said loading strip and said upper flange to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween and to resiliently urge said bracket leg portion and said bracket lower flange portion against said inwardly extending flange portion and said second downwardly depending arm, respectively, for pressing said first and second downwardly depending arms against the wall section.

4. A window glazing construction comprising an outer frame portion having an inwardly extending flange portion and a first downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending flange portion and a second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said first downwardly depending arm, first seal means on the inner side of said first downwardly depending arm, second seal means on the outer side of said second downwardly depending arm,

means including said first and second downwardly depending arms clamping said frame portions on opposite sides of a wall section to compress said iirst and second seal means in weather-tight engagement with the periphery of a window opening formed therein, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, separate lug means adapted to engage said inwardly extending tlange portion, :and means including spring means adapted to engage said loading strip and said lug means to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween.

5. A window glazing construction comprising an outer trarne portion having an inwardly extending iange portion and a irst downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending flange portion and =a second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said first downwardly depending arm, means including said iirst and second arms for clamping said frame portions on opposite sides of a wall section around the periphery of a window opening formed therein, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, separate lug means adapted to engage said inwardly extending tiange portion, and a spring having a bowed portion adapted to engage said lug means and end portions adapted to engage spaced points on said loading strip to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween.

6. A window glazing construction comprising an outer frame portion having an inwardly extending iange portion and a irst downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending flange portion and a second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said iirst downwardly depending arm, first seal means on the inner side of said first downwardly depending arm, second seal means on the outer side of said second downwardly depending arm, means including said lirst and second downwardly depending arms for clamping said frame portions on opposite sides of a Wall section to compress said rst and second seal means in weather-tight engagement with the periphery of a window opening formed therein, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, a bracket having upper and lower outwardly projecting flanges and a leg portion between said upper and lower iianges, said leg portion being adapted to engage said inwardly extending flange port-ion and said lower ange portion being adapted to engage said second downwardly depending arm, and means including spring means adapted to engage said loading strip and said upper liange to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween and to resiliently urge said bracket leg portion and said bracket lower ange portion against said inwardly extending flange portion and said second downwardly depending ami, respectively, for pressing said irst and second downwardly depending arms against the wall section.

7. A window glazing construction comprising an outer frame portion having an inwardly extending flange portion and a rst downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending ange portion and a second downwardly depending arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said irst downwardly depending arm, said first and second downwardly depending arms being adapted to engage opposite sides of a wall section around the periphery of a window opening formed therein, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, a bracket having upper and lower outwardly projecting ranges and a leg portion between said upper and lower flanges, said leg portion being adapted to engage said inwardly extending flange portion and said lower flange portion adapted to engage said second downwardly depending arm, and a spring having a bowed portion adapted to engage the upper bracket liange and end portions adapted to engage spaced points on said loading strip to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween and to resiliently urge said bracket leg portion land said bracket lower flange portion against said inwardly extending flange portion and said second downwardly depending arm, respectively, for pressing said first and second downwardly depending arms against the wall section.

S. A window gl-azing construction comprising an outer frame portion having an inwardly extending flange por* tion and a iirst downwardly depending arm, an inner frame portion having an outwardly extending iange portion and a second downwardly depending `arm adapted to be inwardly spaced from said first downwardly depending arm, rst seal means on the `inner side of said iirst downwardly depending arm, second seal means on the outer side of said second downwardly depending arm, said first and second downwardly depending arms being adapted to engage opposite sides of `a wall section around the periphery of a window opening formed therein to compress said first and second seal means in weather-tight engagement with the wall section, outer cushion means engageable with said outer frame member for sealing the outer peripheral portion of a window pane, inner cushion means for sealingly engaging the inner peripheral portion of a window pane, a loading strip engageable with said inner cushion means, a bracket having upper and lower outwardly projecting anges and a leg portion between said upper and lower flanges, said leg portion adapted to engage said inwardly extending ange portion and said lower ange portion adapted to engage said second downwardly depending arm, and a spring having a bowed portion adapted to engage the upper bracket flange and end portions adapted to engage spaced points on said loading strip to resiliently urge said loading strip and said outer frame portion toward each other for supporting a window pane therebetween and to resiliently urge said bracket leg portion and said bracket lower ilange portion against said inwardly extending ange portion and said second downwardly depending arm, respectively, for pressing said rst and second downwardly depending arms against the wall section.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNTTED STATES PATENTS 2,114,722 4/38 Owen 20-56.4 2,169,865 8/39 Banta 189--75 2,275,559 3/42 Rosenblatt 20-56.4 2,791,007 5/57 Kobil et al 20-56.4 X 2,865,063 12/58 Hartshorn 20-56.4 2,871,524 2/59 Wille et al 20-56.4 2,996,767 8/61 Kobil 20-11 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,193,404 4/59 France.

662,674 12/51 Great Britain.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. GEORGE A. NINAS, JR., Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW GLAZING CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN OUTER FROME PORTION, AN INNER FRAME PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID OUTER FRAME PORTION, SAID INNER AND OUTER FRAME PORTION INCLUDING MEANS FOR ENGAGING A WALL SECTION, SEAL MEANS ON SAID OUTER FRAME PORTION ADAPTED TO BE COMPRESSED BETWEEN SAID OUTER FRAME PORTION AND THE WALL SECTION FOR WEATHER-PROOFING THE PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A WINDOW OPENING IN THE WALL SECTION, OUTER CUSHION MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID OUTER FRAME PORTION FOR SEALING THE OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A WINDOW PANE, INNER CUSHION MEANS FOR SEALINGLY ENGAGING THE INNER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A WINDOW PANE, A LOADING STRIP ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID INNER CUSHION MEANS, SEPERATE LUG MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID INNER AND OUTER FRAME PORTIONS, AND MEANS INCLUDING SPRING MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID LOADING STRIP AND SAID LUG MEANS TO RESILIENTLY URGE SAID LOADING STRIP AND SAID OUTER FRAME PORTION TOWARD EACH OTHER FOR SUPPORTING A WINDOW PANE THEREBETWEEN. 